gr8mnesia

60 year old male with cT2N2M0 Stage IV A moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Started as a right neck abcess in 08' and CT showed second branchial cleft cyst which was resected and path showed benign but severe dysplasia. Neg CT/neg adenapathy one year later. Had EGD in January of 2010 for Barret's Esophagitis surveilance and found mass at the base of the tongue. Had it excised 2 days later and biopsy came back benign with severe dysplasia. 6 week check up things healing well. 6 month check, lesion returned. Wider excision and further biopsies--still called benign with severe dysplasia. All biopsies sent to Mayo Clinic--their review indicated invasive moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with the original neck biopsie in 08' a metastatic node from what was then an occult primary in the neck. Have since had pet scan/ mediport/ peg tube and am starting 7 weeks of radiation IMPT( 35 treatments M-F for 7 weeks) with concurrent cisplatin chemo therapy once aweek for up to 7 weeks if toxicities don't prevent. Have had 2 days of radiation and one chemo so far. Have talked to one other patient who endured this treatment 3 years ago and nobody has sugar coated the process. So that is where I am at now.